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COMMONWEALTH AIR TRAINING PLAN MUSEUM

Volume 34 Issue 3 – Summer 2016

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``Let=s do more to win the war=>

In this issue, our cover pays tribute to the Woman of the War Years, a group working within the CATP Museum to spread

knowledge of the valuable contributions made by women to the war effort. The centre section of this issue is devoted to the WOWY

message, presented in four WWII female related stories.

If we may say so ourselves, our cover is a good

one B showing women from Canada=s Navy, Army and Air

Force walking arm in arm to what we assume is eventual

victory. This with two striking mottos attached. They are a

tribute to the war effort itself - more than 1,000,000 of

Canada=s 11,000,000 population, at the time, enlisted in the

armed forces. During World War II, not only did women join

up in unprecedented numbers, but they also doubled their

numbers in permanent civilian jobs rising from 600,000 to

1,200,000 employed. Women certainly did much to win the

war for the Allies, an accomplishment for which they can be

proud.

The cover picture came from Libraries and

Archives Canada. The original source would seem to be a

little unusual. It is actually the artwork displayed on a 1944

calendar for the Dawe=s Black Horse Brewery in Montreal

as the attached picture reveals. Below the art work are the

words: ``Printed for and in the interests of the Women=s

Services... As an aid to Canada=s War Effort.=>

The cynicism within us draws us to the

conclusion that Dawe=s Brewery produced this calendar in

an effort to sway the general public, and women in

particular, to buy their product. At least that=s what a hard-

headed 21th century consumer might believe.

However, we think there is sincerity in Dawe=s

words. This is based on stories we=ve heard from those

who experienced World War II firsthand. We believe they

thought all people, including those operating commercial

enterprises, believed the world was facing deadly

consequences at the behest of the Axis powers. They

thought people were positive in knowing that the threat

could be beat. They knew that individuals could accomplish

great tasks and the key to victory was with all pulling

together in whatever way they could.

Just as the Dawe=s calendar strikes a chord for

those seeing it for the first time nearly seventy-five years

after it was published, it must have had the same affect for

those who saw it in 1944. Enjoy this wonderful calendar and the stories of the Women of the War Years.

The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum

McGill Field, Brandon Airport, Brandon Manitoba Box 3 Group 520 RR 5 Brandon, Manitoba R7A 5Y5

airmuseum@inetlink.ca 204-727-2444 fax 204-725-2334

Executive Director - Stephen Hayter Administrative Assistant - Kathy Sheppard

President - John McNarry Vice-President - John Robinson

Treasurer - Judith Grierson Secretary - Barb Henderson Directors - David Jenkins Jack Lee Archie Londry

Angus Sneesby Ken Al-Molky Ken Dzogan Greg Sigurdson

CONTACT Editor - Greg Sigurdson

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J. Ashworth Invermere BC

Editor - CATP Museum Brandon MB Dear Greg, Enjoyed your Spring 2016 CONTACT. The Anson Instrument Panel on the cover caught my attention. Had to check with a 1941 photo I have from Clareshome. Forgot the cockpit was that busy! One note, too – the undercarriage manual wind up handle. It (i.e. landing aircraft wheels up) was mentioned in the first installment of ``Be An Airman’‘ – I forgot the number of turns – MANY! On a humorous note – In late 1954 in Tofino BC, I had an RCAF appointment in Victoria. As our Tofino Airport was ``usable’‘ and had no road access out – the only sensible option, time-wise, was to fly by De Havilland Beaver on floats from Clayoquot to Port Alberni (Inclement Weather meant ``By Boat’‘). Jack Moul (one of the Great Escape RCAF Survivors of WWII) picked me up. En-route, we discussed (at 300' to 500') the hazards of West Coast flying weather including the Alberni Canal which was noted for deadheads etc. Finally he said ``Oh Yes - and it’s tough when you have to depend on the tide for a ceiling.’‘ Best Wishes – Hope to visit soon. Thank you for your letter – Tofino is located on the north end of Vancouver Island while Victoria is on the south end. At that time, there was no road connecting the two. It is obvious your trip was quite an adventure – hope it was worth the fuss. We assume ``low tide’‘ gave pilots the highest ceiling – that’s not a lot of room for manoeuvring. From Don Stevenson: As usual I really enjoyed reading CONTACT, the spring 2016 edition illustrating the cockpit of a MK 1 (English) Anson. Later models had American instruments, e.g. altimeter, turn and bank, airspeed and other improvements. It had a wind-up undercarriage, air brakes and other items that were changed in the MK II and MK V productions. My logbook records around 800 hours flying time when I served as a staff pilot at #7 B&G School, Paulson. I clearly recall being somewhat awestruck when being introduced to this ‘big’ aircraft when transitioning from the Tiger Moth at EFTS and into a MK II Anson at SFTS with all those unfamiliar dials and knobs. After a couple of hours dual flying with an instructor they all made perfect sense. There were several other models of this aircraft but the most utilized was probably the MK II. In 1944 we were introduced into the MK V with its constant speed propellers and 450 HP Pratt and Whitney engines. An impressive improvement in those days of the BCATP activities. Just a few recollections of those long ago and somewhat boring days of a staff pilot’s life in the wartime days in the RCAF. Keep up the great work and ensure that later generations learn about the great effort and sacrifice that our proud country made in the Second World War. Warm regards - Don Stevenson Thanks Don - our wonderful volunteers and paid staff are doing their best to get the message out. Greetings: The spring copy arrived a week or so ago. I always enjoy reading Contact. I found the Be An Airman game very interesting. Unfortunately I have a bad habit of noting mistakes. On page 6 Penfield Ridge is shown as in Nova Scotia. It is, or was, in New Brunswick. At least I am not aware of another Penfield Ridge in Nova Scotia. I am curious about the Length of Training chart on page 5. I trained as a Navigator Bomber and that entry is OK. I thought, however, that when they changed from training observers to training navigators and bomb aimers that the navigators no

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longer went to bombing and gunnery school. Of course I trained later in the war so the training might have changed but there seems no reason for navigators to go to B & G school. Vernon McKeague

You are correct – it was ``cheeky’‘ of us to move Penfield Ridge without letting anyone know – it is now, and has always been in New Brunswick. Also, you are right – after Observers transitioned to Navigators, they were not required to attend 10 weeks of training at Bombing and Gunnery School. Thanks for your observations – still as sharp as they were when you were a working navigator. In the month of May, the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum lost two members with special meaning to the museum.

Sherry Wellman passed away on May 4 2016. She was the third editor of our CONTACT newsletter, producing 28 editions between 2009 and 2015. Whenever she was around, members could expect a smile and pleasant word from Sherry. She put a lot of work into the newsletter. We are all grateful for her efforts and will miss her. Alex Matheson passed away on May 16 2016 at the age of 91 years. Alex was a World War II veteran of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, an Armored Corps Regiment. During his service, he was a pilot, parachute instructor and officer. He retired from the Canadian Army after 33 years’ service, as Commander of Canadian Forces Base Shilo. He led a busy and constructive life

after military service as a talented illustrator at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon Manitoba. Alex was great friend to the museum, of which a most visible contribution was providing cover art for the first 80 issues of CONTACT. The covers were always relevant, poignant and usually humorous. Alex supported many community causes including events at the museum as master of ceremonies. Formally, or informally, Alex had a gift of relaxing those around him with his cheerful and witty banter. He will be missed. The Commonwealth Air Training Museum was honored to provide an afternoon of big and small RCAF artifacts, friendly and informative conversations and dinner to 50 or so members of the Canadian Historical Aviation Society in early June. This year, the Manitoba Chapter of the CAHS hosted their annual convention in Winnipeg. They picked the Allied Wings flight training operation in Portage Manitoba and the CATP Museum as destinations for a one day field trip. At the museum, noted aviation author Ted Barris and museum president John McNarry made excellent presentations to the gathering. Judging by the smiles and animated discussions, we believe the attendees enjoyed their visit. Museum volunteers enjoyed the experience too – talking with people with superior knowledge about the Plan and the RCAF and more importantly for all, putting faces to the people we’ve only communicated with by telephone or email. Thank you CAHS or dropping by the museum.

Five great examples of the many tractors at the Pioneer Power and Equipment Club Summer Show.

On June 18-19, the CATP Museum provided the venue for the Pioneer Power and Equipment Club 20th Annual Summer Show.

This club is a determined band of old-time farm equipment aficionados whose only joy equaling rebuilding ancient tractors, is

showing them off to the general public. Their two day event featured children’s activities, a parade of equipment and an antique

tractor pull. There was a good variety of equipment for the public to admire at close range. It has been a joy working with this group

for a number of years and we hope to see them again.

Long Live New Brunswick

Alex Matheson Cover Art

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The Women of the War Years Committee of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum

is proud to pay tribute to The Women's Division of the RCAF Originally named the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force, the Women's Division (WD) was renamed to reinforce the idea that women were vital participants in the activities of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The RCAF WD was the first female military unit in North America. HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, served as Honorary Air Commandant.

Criteria for entrance in the Women's Division required airwomen to be: - in good health - between the ages of 21 and 49 - at least five feet tall - within a standard weight range - educated at a high school entrance level - able to pass a trade test - free of a criminal record

Initially women could enter one of eight trades working as Clerks, Cooks, Equipment Assistants, Fabric Workers, Hospital Assistants, Military Transport Drivers,

Telephone Operators and General Duties Workers. By the end of World War II, the WDs had all the perks of RCAF men including medical and dental care, paid leave and vacations. However, they received only 4/5 of the pay of their male counterparts. The explanation for this discrepancy was that men were to be paid for the possibility of going to war! Members of the Women's Division were never included in combat duties. By the end of the war, 65 different jobs were open to them. Of the 17,038 women who enlisted, 600 were sent to work in the United States and about 1500 served overseas. Fifty women were honoured for outstanding service, 23 received Mentions-in-Despatches, one received the Order of the British Empire, eight were declared Members of the British Empire and 14 received British Empire Medals. The RCAF Women's Division was disbanded on December 11, 1946. It was not until 1951 that women were allowed to join the RCAF again and in 1979 before they were allowed to become pilots. Forty-four years after the end of WWII, the RCAF saw its first woman fighter pilot.

No One Ever Asked: "What Did You Do in the War, Gramma?"

Women's Division or Nursing Sister

It is hard this many years later to understand the places of the nursing sisters in the different branches of the Canadian military during World War II. `Sister' was an honorific title granted to nurses which paid tribute to the first military nurses who were nuns. During World War I, 3,141 women served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. During WWII, the nursing service was expanded to all three branches of the Canadian military: navy, army and air force. Each branch had its own distinctive uniform and working dress while all Nursing Sisters wore the distinctive white veil. As commissioned officers, they were respectfully addressed as "Sister" or "Ma'am." The Royal Canadian Air Force authorized nursing sisters to work in RCAF medical facilities in November 1940 whereas the Women Division did not come into being until 1941. A qualified nurse, it appears, could join the Women's Division as a nursing sister. She would not have to go through the regular training and immediately gained the rank of an officer. The rank had little meaning until May of 1942 when an Order in Council gave the Nursing sisters the authority of their rank. The question of paying compliments (saluting) was settled in March of 1943 when it was established that a nursing sister would complement by turning her head and eyes and bowing the head in the direction of the person returning the salute. Of 17,038 women who enlisted in the RCAF Women's Division, 481 were nursing sisters. Two died in service. Sixty-six served overseas. After the War, 30 RCAF Nursing Sisters joined the permanent air force and served at military establishments across the country. Many more staffed Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals to care for hundreds of returning veterans.

Women of the War Years Tribute to the RCAF Women’s Division continues below

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Flight Lieutenant Marjorie Elliot Jackson Nursing Sister, Matron Canadian Wing of the Queen Victoria Hospital at East Grinstead Associate Royal Red Cross Recipient and Honorary Guinea Pig

Residents of Brandon Manitoba remember Marjorie Jackson as the head nurse at the local hospital for many years, but

few knew the deails of her work as a Nursing Sister in the RCAF Women's Division. She seldom spoke of here role in WWII. Having become a nurse in 1934, Marjorie Jackson joined the RCAF as a nursing sister in 1942. She was 34 years old

and after serving at No. 12 Service Flying Training School, Flight Lieutenant Jackson was sent to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, Sussex, England, thirty miles south of London. She became a vital member of the team dealing with the grizzly side effects of the air war.

This hospital was set up by the British government as a Burn and Plastic Surgery centre for injured pilots. The treatment of burns particular to airmen was an experimental field of healing. In 1944, an all Canadian Wing constructed by the Canadian Government, was opened with Marjorie as Matron in charge of fifty patients and fifty staff to provide care.

From the start, the burn victims of the Victoria Hospital were not allowed self-pity. There were no psychiatrists and the patients, with help from the staff, dealt with the emotional issues associated with their wounds. Humour was an important treatment tool which led the way to the creation of by the patients, in 1941, the Guinea Pigs Club which was a social club and mutual support network. There was an air of informality at the Hospital. Rank and uniforms were abolished. Beer and flirting with the staff was encouraged.

Patients were also encouraged (some say forced) to go into the town of East Grinstead. It came to be known as the town that never stared. Mirrors were covered so that young burn victims could not see the extent of their injuries. The young men were welcomed into private homes, theatres, restaurants and especially the pub.

Flight Lieutenant Jackson, in addition to her many other nursing duties, became an important organizer of a social life for the men of her ward. She said: "We were all young nurses and we went out socially with them and got them out as soon as we could, going down to the pub, going into town. We worked very hard on the psychological aspects." -- [``As for the Canadians' by Rita Donovan.] She was awarded the Associate Royal Red Cross for her war service at a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace. This is a military decoration for exceptional service in military nursing. In 1994, she attended the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Burn and Plastic Surgery,

Canadian Wing of the East Grinstead Hospital at a reunion in Victoria BC. Here she was reunited with her beloved Guinea Pigs.

Government Daycare The Dominion-Provincial

Wartime Day Nurseries Agreement In May of 1942, the Women's Division of Canada's National Selective Service (NSS) was created. Rex (Fraudena) Eaton of Vancouver was put in charge. For as long as possible, her office aimed their efforts exclusively at recruiting young unmarried women for civilian war work. By June 1943, that labor pool had been fully engaged in war work. Gradually the target widened to include childless housewives for part-time work, then married women without children for full-time work, then married women with young children for part-time work and finally mothers of young children for full-time work. In anticipation of this development, the federal Minister of Labor was empowered to enter into agreements with the provinces for the establishment of day-care facilities for children of mothers employed in war industries. Only the most industrialized provinces took advantage of the Dominion-Provincial Wartime Day Nurseries Agreement -- Ontario and Quebec. This first foray into government supported childcare remained short-lived and small in scale, creating only at its height, 2,500 daycare positions in Ontario and 115 to 120 in Quebec. Moreover, the program, which was introduced to aid mothers working in war industries, strictly limited women working in sectors other than war industries to 25% of the available day nursery positions. Immediately at war's end, Quebec's Wartime day nurseries closed their doors. Ontario's day nurseries were open until the spring of 1946. In the present day, government sponsored day care continues to be a political issue.

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Air Crew Badges of the Royal Canadian Air Force - WWII

For much of the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force, aircrew members were awarded `Wings' to verify their qualifications in a specific trade within the aircraft they flew (see below). As was the case in World War II, aircrew members other than pilots, were awarded `half-wings' to be worn on their uniforms above the left Brest pocket and above any ribbons or decorations.

RCAF half wings were modelled on those used by the Royal Air Force. During WWII, the Canadian wings carried the Royal Crown of King George VI, the initials `RCAF' and one stylized wing on the left side of the badge. Within a laurel wreath in the centre of the badge, was the initial(s) for the trade they represented. In the case of the RCAF, `N' stood for Navigator, `B' for Bomb Aimer, `AG' for Air Gunner, `WAG' for Wireless Operator Air Gunner and `E' stood for Flight Engineer. Early in the war, RCAF aircrew included Observers whose badge was the same as those used by the Royal Air Force with the initial `O' in the centre. Navigators succeeded Observers as aircrew members.

Nationality Titles of the Commonwealth Air Forces – WWII

During World War II, Great Britain and Canada experienced a surge in personnel from foreign countries enlisting in their air forces. Generally the enlistees came from other Commonwealth countries and countries overrun by the enemy. While serving in the RAF or RCAF, the enlistee's home country was identified by means of a nationality title (patch) sewn on the shoulder of their uniforms.

Guidelines for the design of the nationality title were as follows. Officers wore curved titles embroidered in light blue on a grey-blue background while other ranks were issued nationality titles in light blue on a dark blue or black background which was usually rectangular in shape.

Variations to these rules occurred when the great numbers of manufacturers producing the titles used their own standards of production. Probably the most common variation was the inclusion of the national title with the RAF/RCAF eagle. British airmen serving in Canada began wearing a `GT. BRITAIN' title on their shoulders. Khaki badges with red embroidered lettering were worn on tropical uniforms.

Information for this article was gleaned from the book: ``Air Force Badges and Insignia of World War 2'' by Guido Rosignoli.

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Commonwealth Air Training Plan Showing Off at the Portage Air Show The CATPM made its presence known at the Air show in Portage La Prairie Manitoba on June 4th. We took a well-stocked trailer of items from the Museum's Gift Shop and set up shop on the "cold ramp" beside our 1940 Harvard MKIIa, 1943 Cornell and 1940 Stinson HW75. Grant Shaw brought our 1940 Chevy Staff car for display and as a shuttle for our volunteers to and from the gate.

(Left) Souvenir Shop. John and Janice Ukrainec and Angus and Lorrie Sneesby helped Jan McNarry with the store. (Below) After the flying demonstrations, we parked the museum's aircraft around the CF-18 from 3 Wing Bagotville which has been painted to honour the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

(Left) John McNarry, our "fitter," standing below the CF-18's right hand tail fin with a Harvard, Anson and WWII crews depicted. (Right) Our "rigger," Alan McNarry, dressed in his "ground crew" whites in honour of the ground crew staff of WWII, stands on the left side of the CF-18 tail - note the Fleet Finch and airmen graphics.

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(Left) Our Cornell with a pilot and WD standing beside the fitter. (Below) Here is the "rigger" ready to show air show patrons the cockpit of the Harvard. Who knows, maybe one of the many young people he helped to sit in the aircraft may go on to join our modern forces.

(Above) Mark, our newest Aircrew member, flying home after the show. (Right) Jan McNarry ready for the crowd with her well displayed wares.

Where to tomorrow? Photos and words by John McNarry.

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Be An Airman - Part III

In this third of three installments on training in the BCATP, as influenced by the WWII board game ``Be An Airman,’’ we look at pilot training. The game puts perspective on pilot training by suggesting that students could hinder their advancement with bad take-offs, losing a propeller on landing, getting air sick, going beyond the flying area, and risking low flying with a court martial. According to the game, a court martial would not result in cashiering from the service, but only a requirement for the student to go back 30 steps to Initial Training School. Rewards would come with good landings, good solos, good night flying, good aerobatics, etc. We are sure that most of these factors came into play in real life in the `Plan.'

Graduates of the Initial Training Schools moved on to various advanced schools. Those who were chosen to be pilots by the RCAF were sent to an Elementary Flying Training School. The BCATP established 26 RCAF and six RAF elementary flying schools dispersed across Canada. In 1941, the objective for each class was to accommodate 180 student-pilots per class at the 10 double-sized schools and 90 at rest of the schools. As the RCAF began to understand how well the `Plan’’ was working, and how the ``airman-power’’ needs for the air

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forces were evolving, changes were made. Enrollment was increased to 240 students per class at No. 12 Goderich and No. 13 St. Eugene. This eventually set the template for all of the elementary schools - ``A’’ schools had 90 students per class, ``B’’ had 120, ``C’’ had 180 and ``D’’ schools trained 240 students or more per class.

By 1943, EFT Schools peaked at 20 facilities of which 11 were ``D' class schools. This allowed for the training of 4000+ students at a time.

All of the elementary schools were managed and run by civilian organizations with the exception of No. 23 Davidson Saskatchewan, which stayed under the complete control of the RCAF. The EFTS was where pilot students learned to fly. Eventually the RCAF deemed training for beginners should run for six weeks with sixty hours devoted to flying (up to 75 hours for those who needed extra time) and 126 hours of ground school training. The main objective was to have the student soloing at the end of the training period as set out at the start. Those not ready to solo by this time, underwent a pilot re-evaluation process conducted by instructors. Generally, trainees expecting to graduate as pilots had to show proficiency in landing, instrument flying and cross-country flying while showing an ability to read a map and navigate using information from the map.

Of the 58,644 pilot trainees finding a place in the elementary schools, 13,200 (22.5%) failed to graduate. Having won their wings, the students, now pilots, were selected for advanced training in one of two groups. The first group included those destined to become bomber, coastal or transport pilots. The second group was for fighter pilots. Both groups went to Service Flying Training Schools. The bomber/coastal/ transport pilots went to schools with multi-engine aircraft such as the Avro Anson or Cessna Crane. Fighter pilot trainees reported to advanced schools where the single-engine North American Harvard was used for training, This division was not absolute -- shortages of multi-engine aircraft with the initial rollout of the `Plan' necessitated pressing Harvards into the role as a trainer for bomber, coastal and transport pilots where needed.

As the `Plan' evolved, SFTS training time went from nine to 20 weeks in length. Unlike the civilian run EFT Schools, SFT Schools were run by the RCAF. Schools were set up with three separate sections - administrative, maintenance and training wings. Trainees were assigned to flights (classes) in which the group would generally stay together until graduation. Similarly to the

elementary schools, capacity eventually became 240 pupils per course

The number of SFTS schools peaked at 28 in 1943. Each school had a main aerodrome with three hard surfaced runways and two relief fields, each within a short distance to the school. The majority of schools were located in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta for a number of reasons including ease of construction, weather which was generally clear enough for flying and large open spaces where trainees could fly without fear of running into something. The curriculum started out simple with students familiarizing themselves with the bigger, more powerful and faster aircraft. The training would progress with students learning new and different ways of accomplishing flying tasks. They were expected to solo after four hours of dual instruction. Pilots were expected to become proficient in take-offs, landings, instrument flying - in larger and different aircraft alone without visual cues, formation flying, aircraft recognition, radio procedures, aerobatics, and familiarization with

other air crew tasks. As the schools were not equipped for realistic combat operations, students were exposed to simulated gunnery and bombing exercises. This was accomplished with the use of a couple of innovative inventions. The `camera gun’ allowed a pilot

BCATP Elementary Flying Training Schools

No. 1 - Malton ON No. 12 - Goderich ON

No. 23 - Davidson SK

No. 2 - Fort William ON

No. 13 - St. Eugene ON

No. 24 - Abbotsford BC

No. 3 - London ON No. 14 - Portage la Prairie MB

No. 25 - Assiniboia SK

No. 4 - Windsor Mills QC

No. 15 - Regina SK No. 26 - Neepawa MB

No. 5 - Lethbridge AB No. 16 - Edmonton AB

No. 31 (RAF) DeWinton AB

No. 6 - Prince Albert SK

No. 17 - Stanley NS No. 32 (RAF) Bowden AB

No. 7 - Windsor ON No. 18 - Boundary Bay BC

No. 33 (RAF) Caron SK

No. 8 - Vancouver BC No. 19 - Virden MB No. 34 (RAF) Assiniboia SK

No. 9 - St. Catherines ON

No. 20 - Oshawa ON No. 35 (RAF) Neepawa MB

No. 10 - Hamilton ON No. 21 - Chatham NB

No. 36 (RAF) Pearce AB

No. 11 - Cap-de-la-Madelien QC

No. 22 - L’Ancienne-Lorette QC

BCATP -- Service Flying Training Schools

No. 1 - Camp Borden ON

No. 11 - Yorkton SK No. 32 - RAF Moose Jaw, SK

No. 2 - Uplands ON No. 12 - Brandon MB No. 33 - RAF Carberry MB

No. 3 - Calgary AB No. 13 - St. Hubert QC / North Battleford SK

No. 34 - RAF Medicine Hat AB

No. 4 - Saskatoon SK No. 14 - Aylmer ON No. 35 - RAF North Battleford SK

No. 5 - Brantford ON No. 15 – Claresholm AB

No. 36 - RAF Penhold AB

No. 6 - Dunville ON No. 16 - Hagersville ON

No. 37 - RAF Calgary AB

No. 7 - Fort MacLeod AB

No. 17 - Souris MB No. 38 - RAF Estevan SK

No. 8 - Moncton NB No. 18 - Gimli MB No. 39 - RAF Swift Current SK

No. 9 - Summerside PEI / Centralia ON

No. 19 - Vulcan AB No. 41 - RAF Weyburn SK

No. 10 - Dauphin MB No. 31 - RAF Kingston ON

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to perfect his ability to recognize a target and shoot it down. The `bombing teacher' helped a pilot learn proper navigation on a bombing run and how to drop bombs accurately on the target.

Forty-nine thousand, five hundred and seven airmen graduated from the Service Flying Training Schools. This represented a 90% success rate. After 25 to 56 weeks of advanced training, students in the SFT Schools found themselves finished with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. After graduation, they would be sent on their way to assignments with actual air force squadrons. Those who were selected for combat moved on to the Operational Training Units.

The game, Be An Airman, goes beyond graduation from the Plan. It follows aircrew experiencing training at Operational Training Units at home and overseas. This was followed with actual missions in bombers and fighters and the eventual return home after fulfilling their flying obligations.

Near the end of the Be An Airman adventure are opportunities for the airman to receive the `Key to the City' and be awarded the Victoria Cross. This, of course, is a silly conclusion - the silliest of all situations in the game. We don't believe any disrespect toward the VC award was intended, while many of those who joined the air forces dreamed of glory on the battlefield. But the Victoria Cross is the Commonwealth's greatest honour for military valour. During World War II, only 30 were awarded to Commonwealth Air Forces aircrew, of which 18 were awarded posthumously. It is unlikely, as implied in the game, that any airman would be awarded this medal.

And now, the Be An Airman game-board in full…

Thank you for reading the Summer 2016 issue of CONTACT. We look forward to sending the Fall issue early in October 2016.